LIVE WONGIE: the morning benders - virgins (live @ la blogotheque)

the morning benders - virgins (live @ la blogotheque soiree de poche)
[as part of the upcoming la blogotheque 'movie' that will be showing on the french cultural channel arte, the morning benders performed a brand new song for their soiree de poche. its just the kind of lovely music we have grown to admire from chris chu and his boys (from the swoon looks of their audience the french are the same way too ;)]

check out the boys practicing before their blogotheque performance

WONGIE POP SONG OF THE WEEK: ed drewett - champagne lemonade (new video)

ed drewett - champagne lemonade
[after waxing serious boy crush love yesterday with some pics, the official audio and a youtube performance clip, camp ed brings us the official video of his catchy self. unfortunately it's for UK viewers only, so i can only imagine what you're seeing by clicking on the play button. sigh... the second it goes regionless, i will post it for all to see! VIDEO WATCH UPDATE: youtube has a version or you can check out the sun after the click, just remember to come back!]

NEW VIDEO!: kelis - scream

kelis - scream
[not my fave track from kelis, much has to do with the fact that i keep on thinking there should be more 'umph' during the breaking point of this song. instead she just kind of sounds bored throughout. what is going on here?]

WONGIE POP SONG OF THE WEEK: shakira feat dizzee rascal - loca

shakira feat dizzee rascal - loca
[now THIS is the kind of shakira that we love to celebrate, cheeky with side of wonderful musicality thrown in. plus my boy dizzee crosses the pond and enters the international arena with his appearance. a brilliant piece of pop if you ask me!]

NEW VIDEO!: michael buble - hollywood

michael buble - hollywood
[ladies, you can go ahead and swoon]

NEW VIDEO!: chapel club - all the eastern girls

chapel club - all the eastern girls
[perfectly catchy indie number from one of this years buzz acts]

DANCE BITCH DANCE: duck sauce - barbra streisand

duck sauce - barbra streisand
[it seems that everywhere i surf on the net this week, a reference to the latest single by duck sauce pops up. the collaboration between armand van helden and a-trak, their disco dealings go up one notch into one of the catchiest dance of the season. now go ahead and sing along with the chorus... 'woo hoo']

WONGIE POP SONG OF THE WEEK: ed drewett - champagne lemonade

ed drewett - champagne lemonade
[fans of professor green's "need you tonight" should have noticed the cutie patootie (and a dead ringer for a hot young eminem) vocalist ed drewett who offered the catchy INXS hook inspired chorus. well, fast forward 6 months and ed is ready to release his debut collection of songs co-written by producers who have penned hits for lily allen, kylie, robbie williams and cheryl cole. his 1st single is written by ex-xenomania's tim powell (hence the insane catchy track) and its catchy! let the ed drewett hype begin!]


ed drewett - champagne lemonade (swing version)
[omg, i think i'm in love]

HMMM...: jamiroquai - white knuckle ride

jamiroquai - white knuckle ride
[it's been almost 5 years since we've had any new material from jamiroquai and i have to say that this 'reboot' is kind of underwhelming. throw in the fact that the video is just plain douchey (hey look, i can fly a helicopter! and i'm chasing a porche!) and well, i'm hoping the rest of the album will be more interesting. cmon jammy, you are much better than this!]

WONGIE SONG OF THE MONTH: labrinth - let the sun shine

labrinth - let the sun shine
[even though this insanely catchy song has THE most twee bridge i've heard all year, the main crux of the song is so perfectly constructed that i totally am willing to ignore my better judgement (and that totally is kudos to the power of this song). you'll be humming this all day long and you'll either thank or curse me for it! enjoy!]

WONGIE GORGEOUS SONG(S) OF THE WEEK: MIA - xxxo (oli chang cinematic remix) / beyonce - naughty girl (oli chang cinematic remix)

MIA - xxxo (oli chang cinematic remix)
[unfortunately in my book, this latest MIA album has been nothing but a letdown. with her over analyzed sounds taking the place of entertainment, the only beacon of enjoyment came in the form of her vocal renderings in this song. thinking the MIA story was over, i came across this lovely stripped down cinematic remix by oli chang today and all seems to be right in the world. thank you oli!]

want more? check out this lovely remix of beyonce's naughty girl below!

beyonce - naughty girl (oli chang cinematic remix)

WONGIE SONG OF THE WEEK: bag raiders - way back home

bag raiders - way back home
[with shooting stars back on my blip, it's very exciting to hear that the wonderful electronic duo are on the eve of releasing their debut self titled album which i'm sure will chock be filled with lovely gems like this!]

WONGIE (K)POP DISCOVERY: 2ne1 - clap your hands / can't nobody / follow me

[this kpop foursome (pronounced "twenty one") have not only become one of the biggest acts of the year (with 4 singles in the top 40 this week) but really captured the audience with their brash and sassy electro hip hop pop sound. though their music is waaaay too autotuned for my tastes, there is something so street and confident in their presentation that i can't stop watching them. obviously i'm not the only one since these gals are pop-u-lar. check out their hits below!]


2ne1 - clap your hands


2ne1 - can't nobody


2ne1 - follow me

WONGIE (K)POP SONG OF THE WEEK: miss a - breathe

miss a - breathe
[easily my favorite kpop girl band of the moment, these gals not only bring it on the dancefloor but the production team over at jyp are really giving them some interesting music to front. seriously, kpop has rushed into the forefront as a source for amazing pop music on a worldwide level! i kid you not!]

WONGIE VIDEO OF THE WEEK: lcd soundsystem - home

lcd soundsystem - home
[the funwunce guys have given this lovely lcd soundsystem single a quirky cautionary tale of excess partying and well, robots... i watched the full 7 mins and so should you!]

LIVE WONGIE: kylie minogue - get out of my way (live @ paul o'grady show)

kylie minogue - get out of my way (live @ paul o'grady show)
[i'm sorry, but this song just makes me so happy! happy weekend all!]

POP BOY: joe mcelderry - ambitions / (plus original by donkeyboy)

joe mcelderry - ambitions
[last years x-factor winner joe releases his debut single with an interesting non-traditional cover by norwegian band donkeyboy. the song is mega catchy and just a perfect piece of pop. hopefully the rest of joe's album will be a nice mix of this left of center approach, cause if it is, i might just turn into a fan!]


donkeyboy - ambitions
[check out the less boppy original by the wonderful donkeyboy]

WONGIE DISCOVERY: rumer - aretha / slow (live @ later with jools holland)

rumer - aretha
[here's something interesting, a vocalist getting buzz based on her voice! the smoothness and gentleness that is on offer just brushes your face and you can just see yourself snuggling against it. already championed by the likes of burt bacharach and elton john, there is a definite old soul vibe here channeling through the spirit of dusty springfield and karen carpenter. with winter incoming, i have a good idea who will be a big part of my soundtrack! bliss!]


rumer - slow (live @ later with jools holland)
[damn, she sounds amazing live!]


rumer - slow

WONGIE INDIE SONG OF THE WEEK: sleigh bells - infinity guitars

sleigh bells - infinity guitars
[the most bad ass duo of the year release an official video to their awesome kickin track infinity guitars. how they make so much awesome noise between the two of them is just incredible to watch. i heart them!]

WONGIE DISCOVERY: maps & atlases - solid ground

maps & atlases - solid ground
[from facebook:
Dave Davison, Shiraz Dada, Chris Hainey, and Erin Elders met while attending art school in Chicago and formed Maps & Atlases in 2004. The bands unique style melds the technicality of progressive rock and the idiosyncrasies of Art Rock into a fascinating and oddly accessible sound all their own. Known for their virtuosic musical ability, Maps & Atlases write pop songs with a magnificent aptitude for texture and a distinctive blend of both the intricate and organic.
from wongie:
i just like the way they sound!]

NEW MIA!!: M.I.A. - story to be told

M.I.A. - story to be told
[maybe the remixes will be better?]

NICE SONG: faith evans - gone already

faith evans - gone already
[nothing groundbreaking or showcasing a serious comeback, just a simple mid tempo song sung by an under-appreciated talented r&b diva]

WONGIE POP SONG OF THE WEEK: the saturdays - higher

the saturdays - higher
[oh the video is so beyond cheesy that its just plain fun! throw in the fact that the song is unabashedly catchy and you have the best pop song to come out in a week! oh, and i love how they leave the dancing to the people that can actually do it!]

HOT DANCE TRAX: armand van helden & steve aoki - BRRRAT!

armand van helden & steve aoki - BRRRAT!
[i can't even begin to tell you hot this song reminds me of the insanity rave tracks that i used to go apesh*t to back in the early 90's. i have a feeling that armand and steve were also going crazy back in the day and now offer up a choice tribute that still sounds amazing almost 20 years later!]

WONGIE AWWWW VIDEO OF THE WEEK: ok go - white knuckles

ok go - white knuckles
[the boys of ok go and director trish sie collaborate in making a video that you can't keep your eyes off. dogs are cute!!!]

VIDEO PREMIERE: cheryl cole - promise this

cheryl cole - promise this
[not completely won over by this track, but i love her enough to not really care]

WONGIE DANCE SONG OF THE WEEK: starsmith - give me a break

starsmith - give me a break
[buzz producer/remixer starsmith releases his 1st official single with a hands up in the air disco infused instant crowd pleaser thanks to a hot sample from the ritchie family's 'give me a break'. surprisingly commercial, i'm totally looking forward to what starsmith has in store next!]

WONGIE HAPPY SONG OF THE WEEK: plain white t's - rhythm of love

plain white t's - rhythm of love
[always riding that fine line between twee and just sweet, the PWT's return with a lovingly gentle tune that'll offer nothing but nice smiles for the day. go out and hug someone today will ya?]

VIDEO LEAK: rihanna - who's that chick

rihanna - who's that chick
[not sure if this is an official release, but they shot a video and its been leaked, so let the viral buzz begin. oh and it's produced by david guetta]

WONGIE DISCOVERY: boy & bear - rabbit song / blood to gold / mexican mavis

[for those who follow my blog (basically my 5 friends), you'll know that besides pure pop, dirty dance grooves and the occasional rock out aggro song, my instant love falls for the jangly folkish indie band with a knack for harmonies. so when i heard aussie band, boy & bear's wonderful EP 'with emperor antartica', i was immediately hooked. their music is lovely and dreamy and i can't wait to hear a proper album soon!]


boy & bear - rabbit song


boy & bear - blood to gold


boy & bear - mexican mavis

NEW VIDEO!: the wanted - heart vacancy

the wanted - heart vacancy
[i still don't understand why they record songs like it's one person singing (making the other 4 moot audio wise... i'm just saying). but they do have decent songwriters composing for them and i'm a slave for a good pop song, so i should really shut up ;]

WONGIE SONG OF THE WEEK: magnetic man feat katy b - perfect stranger

magnetic man feat katy b - perfect stranger
[we featured this track awhile back, but now it comes with an official video. i've been listening to this track on super loud the past week and it's just AMAZING! i am hooked!]

DANCE BITCH DANCE: herve - together

herve - together
[nothing like a vocal sample of the primal scream classic to get the weekend going!]

WONGIE SONG OF THE WEEK: bruno mars - just the way you are

bruno mars - just the way you are
[LOVE this song!]

VIDEO PREMIERE: kings of leon - radioactive

kings of leon - radioactive
[they're baaaack!]

AUDIO LEAK: rihanna - only girl (in the world)

rihanna - only girl (in the world)
[looks like the chart topping rihanna pop diva is back! having it's world premiere this morning on ryan seacrest, i'll post an official audio for this once it's out, for now check out this radio rip (click here if the youtube link doesn't work)]

NEW MARINA!!!: marina and the diamonds - shampain / shampain (live @ reading 2010)

marina and the diamonds - shampain

check out this wonderful live performance at reading

marina and the diamonds - shampain (live @ reading 2010)

NEW VIDEO!: the ting tings - hands

The Ting Tings - Hands from Warren Fu on Vimeo.

the ting tings - hands
[so silly, yet oh so catchy! clap yo hands!]

WONGIE HAPPY SONG OF THE WEEK: b.o.b. feat rivers cuomo - magic

b.o.b. feat rivers cuomo - magic
[it's the long weekend! let the happy begin with this song!]

HOT COVER: vampire weekend - i'm goin down (bruce springsteen cover @ 102.7 The End)

vampire weekend - i'm goin down (bruce springsteen cover @ 102.7 The End)
[how cool is this cover? vampire weekend pay homage to the boss and i love it!]

WONGIE INDIE SONG OF THE WEEK: mgmt - congratulations

mgmt - congratulations
[i'm a bit late on this, but what a sad lonely video and song directed by tom kuntz! brilliant really!]

WONGIE POP SONG OF THE WEEK: natasha bedingfield - strip me

natasha bedingfield - strip me
[what i've always loved about natasha is that she sings the shizz out of every song she writes or is given. it's that dedicated amazing realness that makes her stand apart from her 'pop' peers and therefore a gem in the industry. strip me is a powerful pop tune (written by ryan tedder no less) that only someone like natasha can sing (we heart her)!]

NEW KYLIE!: kylie minogue - get outta my way

kylie - get outta my way
[directed by alexandliane, kylie, as usual, looks FABULOUS! throw in the fierce claw gold rings and an interactive digital lighting setup that i would kill for and you have a happy gay ol thursday!]

UPDATE:
want more kylie? check out her live performance on America's Got Talent

kylie - get outta my way (live @ america's got talent)

and check out when she surprised the staff of her record label with this impromptu performance at their staff retreat!

NEW VILLAGERS!: villagers - that day

villagers - that day
[mercury prize nominee comes out with a brand new video from his wonderful album becoming a jackal]

AWESOME COVER: ane brun - joga (polar music prize 2010)

ane brun - joga (polar music prize 2010)
[we showed robyn's awesome cover of hyperballad earlier this week, now we bring you another wonderful performance by the singer/songwriter ane brun. bjork seems truly moved with this one.]

SWEET VIDEO WITH A CELEB NAMED JENA MALONE: harper simon - berkeley girl

harper simon - berkeley girl
[not only is this a testament to the awesome quality of 8mm film, it also proves that actress jena malone deserves to be a bigger star than she is. totally captivating and beautiful, she makes twee songs like this totally awesome!]

HOT SOUNDTRACK: sex-ba-omb - garbage truck (scott pilgrim vs the world)

sex-ba-omb - garbage truck (scott pilgrim vs the world)
[i'm sorry, but knives chau cracks me up every time! fun fact, the music of the band was composed by beck]

NEW MORNING BENDERS!: the morning benders - all day day light

the morning benders - all day day light